Star Trek is the franchise to beat. It has been a staple of modern entertainment since it first aired in 1966 and has spawned numerous TV series, movies, an animated adventure, novels, comics and even theme parks.

With such a storied history over that long period, Star Trek got a much-needed (if controversial) movie reboot in 2009.

We're now contemplating a fourth movie in JJ Abrams' alternate "Kelvin" timeline (Captain George Kirk sacrifices himself to save the crew of the USS Kelvin in that 2009 film, giving this timeline its name). And there's already talk of a fifth movie: the Quentin Tarantino, R-rated version we're all hoping isn't just a mad pipedream.

Paramount

Still, it hasn't been smooth sailing for the USS Enterprise in the run-up to this fourth film. Here's hoping Paramount can come to terms with those cosmic pay cheques (more on that below) and take a step closer to production.

Star Trek 4 plot – will we see two Captain Kirks?

JJ Abrams' rebooted Star Trek took the core elements of the franchise and split them off into a different timeline.

The key factor that changed history from the William Shatner/Patrick Stewart era was an attack on the USS Kelvin that killed the elder Captain Kirk (played by Chris Hemsworth), so it was a surprise to learn that both father and son were supposed to appear in the fourth film.

Paramount

To allow that, this sequel was supposed to be another wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey adventure that featured Pine's James T. Kirk somehow joining forces with his long-dead dad. Given the casting news below, we're not sure that's actually going to happen.

We do know that the Borg are unlikely to appear as the bad guys. Simon Pegg acknowledged that it's too early in the series to introduce the deadly cybernetic villains.

"We didn't meet the Borg until we got a lot further out, which occurred in Star Trek: The Next Generation," he said. "This is the original series, and we are only at a certain point in our exploration of the galaxy, so we haven't uncovered that particular hornet's nest yet."

Star Trek 4 cast – Chris crisis?

To lose one Chris is unfortunate, to lose two is careless. Yet that's the situation Star Trek 4 finds itself in.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, both Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth have walked away from negotiations to star in the JJ Abrams-produced blockbuster because the studio wants them to take pay cuts. That's possibly because previous entry Star Trek: Beyond was the worst performing movie in the franchise (even if it did open in the top spot and bank $343.5 million worldwide).

Even worse, producers were reportedly waiting to lock down Pine and Hemsworth before negotiating with supporting cast members like Zachary Quinto (Spock), Zoe Saldana (Uhura) and Simon Pegg (Scotty). So right now there's no cast officially attached to the project.

Star Trek 4 director – breaking up the boys' club

One of the reasons we desperately want Star Trek 4 to happen is that it will finally give the franchise its first-ever female director.

There may have been female Captains in the chair of those starships before now but the director's job has been a boys' club since the release of Star Trek: The Motion Picture in 1978.

Getty ImagesBennett Raglin/WireImage

British filmmaker SJ Clarkson is in line to direct, and has an impressive track record on some of the biggest shows on both UK and US TV, including EastEnders, Life on Mars, Heroes, Dexter, Jessica Jones and Marvel's The Defenders.

Star Trek 4 writers – scripts aplenty

According to Spock star Zachary Quinto, at one point there were at least three scripts in contention to become the next Star Trek movie – including the one from Quentin Tarantino.

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"There was a script being written before Quentin Tarantino came up with his idea for a potential film, and so I think they are developing more than one," he said.

"I don't know what is going to happen. Quentin is off doing another movie. So, I feel like we are in a state of anticipation. I know Simon Pegg and Doug Jung, who wrote the last film, are writing a script. And there are another set of writers writing a script."

Star Trek 4 production – when will cameras roll?

Paramount confirmed in April 2018 that it was moving forward with the fourth instalment in JJ Abrams' film series but with casting decisions still up in the air, there's no way production can begin yet.

Star Trek 4 release date – when is it out?

Neither of the new Star Trek films has a firm release date yet (and TV series Star Trek: Discovery isn't expected to return for a second season until 2019 either, so there's no respite there).

In hindsight, Paramount is likely relieved it hasn't put anything concrete on the release schedule as that would have only made its casting situation worse.

Paramount

Star Trek 4 trailer – is there any footage?

We'd love to get all timey-wimey ourselves and show you a trailer for Star Trek 4 from the future, but we're stuck in a mirror universe trying to get rid of an awful Van Dyke beard.

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